4 ms·

Oliver is a journalist, though. That's why Snowden granted him an interview first, before anyone else in the world. Sure, he's humorous, but he's not offering

Oliver is a journalist, though. That's why Snowden granted him an interview first, before anyone else in the world. Sure, he's humorous, but he's not offering his opinions except in the most general terms. He follows facts, not hype.

brain5ide 7y ago
I thought he was a comedian.
- mcv 7y ago
  He is a comedian, and always denies being news. That doesn't change the fact that his show is one of the most informative shows on TV. It absolutely is journalism what he's doing. He's just dressing it up in jokes.
philwelch 7y ago
No, John Oliver is most definitely a comedian.
- Accujack 7y ago
  ...who nonetheless has solid journalistic methods.
  - pacerwpg 7y ago
    I believe he's the face of journalists behind the scenes who do all the heavy lifting work.
    - philwelch 7y ago
      See this is where John Oliver (and before him, Jon Stewart) are really duplicitous. They talk about the news in a certain way that implies that they have done their research and are delivering useful information, but they crack wise as they are doing so, in such a way that obviously fits in with whatever narrative or reaction they're trying to sell. And then when they get called out for being dishonest or biased, they say, "wait a minute, I'm just a comedian!"
alistairSH 7y ago
Oliver's background is in entertainment and comedy. As far as I know, he's never had a traditional journalism job. Carlson started his career as a journalist, working for right-wing publications.
- Accujack 7y ago
  Yes, but being a professional journalist doesn't presently correlate with journalism skills or integrity. His work is closer to good journalism than most TV news programs or "news hours". Funny world we live in.
  - alistairSH 7y ago
    I don't disagree with that. There's something broken in journalism today, for sure. No way should an admitted comedian/entertainer provide better news than many "real" news outlets.

brain5ide 7y ago

I thought he was a comedian.

mcv 7y ago
He is a comedian, and always denies being news. That doesn't change the fact that his show is one of the most informative shows on TV. It absolutely is journalism what he's doing. He's just dressing it up in jokes.

philwelch 7y ago

No, John Oliver is most definitely a comedian.

Accujack 7y ago
...who nonetheless has solid journalistic methods.
- pacerwpg 7y ago
  I believe he's the face of journalists behind the scenes who do all the heavy lifting work.
  - philwelch 7y ago
    See this is where John Oliver (and before him, Jon Stewart) are really duplicitous. They talk about the news in a certain way that implies that they have done their research and are delivering useful information, but they crack wise as they are doing so, in such a way that obviously fits in with whatever narrative or reaction they're trying to sell. And then when they get called out for being dishonest or biased, they say, "wait a minute, I'm just a comedian!"

alistairSH 7y ago

Oliver's background is in entertainment and comedy. As far as I know, he's never had a traditional journalism job. Carlson started his career as a journalist, working for right-wing publications.

Accujack 7y ago
Yes, but being a professional journalist doesn't presently correlate with journalism skills or integrity. His work is closer to good journalism than most TV news programs or "news hours". Funny world we live in.
- alistairSH 7y ago
  I don't disagree with that. There's something broken in journalism today, for sure. No way should an admitted comedian/entertainer provide better news than many "real" news outlets.